26012026-LSTL-01.qxd 1/25/2026 9:01 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE BORDER BLITZ Galwan song unveiled Life Sunny Deol’s Border 2 earned Rs 40.59 crore on Day 2, up 26.46 per cent, taking its India net to Rs 72.69 crore, trade analyst Taran Adarsh said. The Anurag Singh-directed 1971 war drama stars Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, with a Republic Day boost expected. Redefining Salman Khan unveiled Maatrubhumi, the first song from Battle of Galwan. It is composed by Himesh Reshammiya and sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 26 JANUARY 2026 freedom Actors reflect on what Republic Day means today | The change they most wish to see Gurnaaz A KARAN TACKER S India marks another Republic Day, the occasion invites us to look beyond ceremonial pride and reflect on what freedom truly means in our daily lives — and what still needs to change for the Republic to fulfil its promise. Actors and filmmakers share personal perspectives on the one change they would most like to see in India today. SUPRAN S VARMA – INFORMED MINDS MATTER For me, Republic Day marks a moment when intellect became our greatest strength. People who had studied law, geopolitics and constitutions from across the world came together to design a framework capable of holding a country as vast, diverse and complex as India. Our Constitution reminds me that thought, debate and dialogue can be just as powerful as force. I truly believe most of the problems we face today already have answers within the Constitution. The issue is not a lack of solutions, but how far removed we have become from them. If I had to wish for one change, it would be for us to become a better-informed society, more aware of both our rights and responsibilities. ARTI SINGH MEERA CHOPRA FREEDOM THROUGH RESPONSIBILITY Freedom in today’s India, for me, means standing strong in who we are — our culture, values and identity — without fear or apology. It means putting the nation first, speaking our minds honestly, and moving forward with pride. True freedom is not chaos; it is responsibility, confidence and respect for our roots. One change I would like to see is greater population responsibility. Growing as a nation in a balanced and thoughtful way ensures that every child has better opportunities. Schools, jobs, healthcare and housing improve when growth matches capacity. A strong country isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the quality of life for every citizen. HARMAN BAWEJA COURAGE IN EVERYDAY LIFE Republic Day is deeply personal for me because it reminds me how challenging it is to stand up for what is right, even in our everyday lives. Speaking up against friends, drawing boundaries at work, or questioning family when something feels wrong is difficult and often comes at a personal cost: misunderstanding, discomfort and isolation. India is diverse—linguistically, culturally and ideologically—and the Constitution was drafted to hold all of this together by giving equal space to every voice. As a filmmaker, I constantly ask whether we are telling stories that include everyone, not just the loudest or most privileged. Cinema has the power to shape empathy and expand perspective, and I am trying every day to listen more, unlearn more, and tell stories that reflect the India that exists beyond our bubbles. If I could change one thing, it would be our colonial hangover. We need to rediscover who we are as a civilisation, not just a post-colonial nation. Understanding India through its own philosophies, ethics and storytelling traditions can fundamentally change how we see ourselves—and that shift could be truly transformative, especially for Indian cinema. KARAN TACKER PATRIOTISM IN ACTION Republic Day, for me, is about celebrating a different kind of heroism — not one that unfolded on battlefields, but in the minds of visionary thinkers. It also makes me reflect on what patriotism truly means. I feel incredibly fortunate that, as an actor, I have had the opportunity to serve the country by portraying men in uniform. Playing IPS Amit Lodha has been especially moving, because when viewers tell me the character’s courage has inspired them, or when I see young children looking up to him as a role model, it reinforces the responsibility that comes with storytelling. I hope we all find the courage to answer our own calling, whatever form it takes, and pursue our ambitions with integrity while striving to make the country proud in our own way. If there is one thing I wish we were more mindful of as citizens, it is civic sense. Patriotism lives in the everyday: how we drive, how we treat public spaces, and whether we choose compassion and discipline over convenience. We are blessed with breathtaking places across India, but preserving their beauty requires collective effort. LEKHA PRAJAPATI FREEDOM OF CHOICE I believe we are living in a new-age India, the India of 2026, where freedom means having multiple opportunities and real choices — the freedom to choose your career, partner, and path. There is far less inhibition and judgment today than before and that is something I deeply value. I remember a time when the film industry was looked down upon, but today it is a respected and reputable space, with families encouraging their children to pursue creative careers. For me, freedom in today’s India means access to opportunities that simply didn’t exist earlier, and I feel genuinely grateful to be living in this time. If I had the power to change just one thing, it would be to actively exercise our right to vote. Many people do not step out on voting day, even among friends and families. Voting is one of the most important powers we have as Indian citizens, and it should never be taken lightly. It should also be free of religious bias and driven by individual thinking. My appeal is simple: check your voter details as carefully as you check your bank account, and step out to vote. LEKHA PRAJAPATI MEERA CHOPRA ARTI SINGH JUSTICE AND SAFETY For me, a free India is one where women are truly safe, where there is no rape, no fear, and where justice is uncompromising. A free India is also one where animals can live without cruelty, where dogs are treated with compassion rather than violence. Every day, women are raped and killed, and to me freedom means that no matter who commits the crime, they should be punished severely and without delay. That is what a truly free India would look like. If I could change one thing, it would be the biased and slow judiciary system. Every rapist must be punished decisively so that a real fear exists against committing such crimes—not a system of endless hearings and ‘next dates’, but one where justice is swift, firm and visible. SUPRAN S VARMA HARMAN BAWEJA Priya’s on-set SANCTUARY Actress Priya Thakur, who plays Vasudha in Zee TV’s Vasudha, has transformed her makeup room into a personal sanctuary, reflecting her warm and grounded personality. During long shooting days, Priya has carefully decorated the space to create a comfortable, positive environment. From sketches she has drawn herself to thoughtfully placed posters, every corner of the room is designed to foster calm. The inviting atmosphere often draws coactors and friends, who enjoy spending time there between shoots. “Because I spend 12 to 15 hours on the set and only go home to sleep, I try to make sure my makeup room is the best one and decorated like my own safe corner,” Priya said. “I have multiple dove sketches in my room, made by me, as doves are a symbol of peace. I changed my wallpaper last year and adorned it with motivational posters about positivity and peace. I also used fairy lights to give it a warm feeling, which makes me feel at ease. Most of my co-actors and friends prefer to hang out in my room because of its vibe. Doing this also makes my makeup room feel like a safe corner for me to relax after a long shift.” Priya also uses the space to emotionally prepare for her scenes. “One ritual I follow is that if I’m shooting a sad scene, I often listen to very sad songs to get into that mood. My room is where I practice most of my lines and memorise them. I usually put on the music according to the type of scene I will be shooting,” she explained. Much like her on-screen character Vasudha, Priya’s sincerity, emotional depth and simplicity shine through, both in her performances and in the personal space she has created on set. Roots in olive green Republic Day memories from actors raised in military households Twists fuel the performance Mukul Harish, who plays Varun in Rajan Shahi and Deepa Shahi’s long-running television drama Anupamaa, believes that constant narrative twists are essential to keeping a show engaging. The series is produced under the banner of Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd. “We constantly try to do everything possible to keep the show interesting for our viewers,” Harish said. “These twists definitely add a new pace and energy to my performance — they push you to stay alert, present and fully invested in every scene.” Reflecting on the demands of working in a rapidly evolving narrative, the actor said sudden changes are a reflection of the times. “We live in a very fast-paced world today, and sudden narrative changes are important to keep the storyline engaging,” he said. “As actors, it’s our responsibility to adapt and give our best to the viewers. So I’d say it’s a bit of both — exciting and demanding.” Harish said his approach to scenes that take an unexpected turn is straightforward. “Either you convince me, or I convince you about how and why this is happening,” he explained. “But even if you don’t convince me and want me to do it your way, I’ll still do it — because that’s my job as an actor.” c m y b As India prepares to commemorate its 77th Republic Day, actors Rannvijay Singha and Mona Singh — both rooted in the nation’s military heritage — reflected on the significance of the occasion and the traditions that shaped them. Hailing from armed forces families, the two shared personal memories of Republic Day celebrations, paying tribute to the strength and resilience of India’s military. Rannvijay Singha, son of Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha, said the day evokes pride both as an army officer’s child and as an Indian. “Not just as an army officer’s kid, but also as an Indian, it’s an awesome day to remember school memories. We used to prepare for the assembly, sing the national anthem and sometimes be taken to India Gate to watch the parade. You feel very proud of your nation — its achievements, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. It’s a great day to celebrate the nation,” he said. Rannvijay also called for unity across professions and communities. “As proud Indians, we must support people from all industries. We’re all trying to make our nation great. It’s a very good time to be in India,” he added. The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ star Mona Singh, who also comes from an army background, grew nostalgic as she recalled her days as a NCC cadet. “I come from a Fauji background and we’ve always celebrated Republic Day. We’d put a flag outside our house and I remember our school days. We used to get those boondi ke laddoos and participate in the parade. I was in NCC. I feel very proud and happy to witness these beautiful times as India celebrates in all its glory,” she said. Republic Day marks a defining milestone in India’s national journey, commemorating the day the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, formally establishing the country as a “Sovereign Democratic Republic”. According to an official release, the 77th Republic Day celebrations are organised around the central theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram”. — ANI